Trinidadian Green Seasoning (Fresh Herb Marinade Paste)
Local name: Green seasoning
In short: A bright paste of culantro, cilantro, scallions, garlic, thyme and sweet peppers used to season meat, fish, rice and stews across Trinidad. It takes about 15 min in total and makes 16 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 0 min
- Total
- 15 min
- Servings
- 16
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 12 kcal
Green seasoning is the base of Trinidadian cooking, a bright herb paste that goes onto chicken, fish, beef and goat before anything is cooked, and into rice, soups and stews. Culantro, cilantro, scallions, garlic, thyme and sweet peppers are blended with just enough water to make a fragrant, spoonable paste. A jar in the refrigerator makes weeknight cooking quicker, and most households keep one going all the time.
Instructions
- Rinse the herbs and drain well. Trim the roots and the toughest stems.
- Blend the onion, garlic, peppers, celery, water and lime juice in a blender or food processor to a rough paste.
- Add the culantro, cilantro, scallions, thyme and salt in batches, pulsing between additions, until finely chopped and paste-like. Add a spoonful more water only if the blades stall.
- Taste and adjust the salt and lime. Spoon the paste into a clean jar and press it down to remove air pockets.
- Refrigerate for up to 2 weeks, or freeze in ice cube trays and keep the cubes in a bag for up to 6 months.
- To use, rub 2 to 3 tablespoons into every 500 g (1.1 lb) of meat, poultry or fish and marinate for 30 minutes to overnight in the refrigerator. Stir spoonfuls into rice, soups and stews.
Tips
- Blend with as little water as you can. A thick paste keeps longer and seasons more strongly, and you can always loosen it when you use it.
- Freeze it in ice cube trays. One or two cubes season a pot of rice or stew with no measuring.
Questions and answers
What is culantro and can I use cilantro instead?
Culantro, also called shado beni or chadon beni, is a long-leaf herb with a stronger, cilantro-like flavor. If you cannot find it, use extra cilantro, leaves and tender stems.
What are seasoning peppers?
Small, wrinkled sweet peppers with the aroma of a scotch bonnet but almost no heat. If you cannot find them, use a small green bell pepper and add a slice of hot pepper if you want heat.
How long does homemade green seasoning keep?
Up to 2 weeks in a clean jar in the refrigerator and 6 months in the freezer. Press the surface down and use a clean spoon each time.
How long does it take to make Trinidadian Green Seasoning (Fresh Herb Marinade Paste)?
About 15 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 0 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Trinidadian Green Seasoning (Fresh Herb Marinade Paste)?
About 12 kcal per serving, with 1 g of protein, 2 g of carbohydrates and 0 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 12 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 1 g |
| Carbohydrates | 2 g |
| Fat | 0 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 1 g |
| Sodium | 75 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
